Power Systems Analysis

Course Description

EEL4508 — Power Systems Analysis is a senior-level (4xxx) college-credit course in Florida's B.S. Electrical Engineering programs. The course covers steady-state and transient analysis of three-phase electrical power systems: per-unit system; symmetrical components; balanced and unbalanced fault analysis; power flow analysis (Newton-Raphson and Gauss-Seidel methods); transmission line modeling; transformer modeling; introduction to power system stability and protection. The course prepares students for entry-level power-engineering roles in Florida's substantial utility, generation, transmission, and distribution sectors.

This course is offered at Florida State University System institutions with B.S. or graduate Electrical Engineering programs: University of Florida, Florida State University, University of South Florida, University of Central Florida, Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida A&M University, and Florida Institute of Technology. As an upper-division course, it is restricted to students admitted to the B.S. Electrical Engineering or B.S. Computer Engineering program at the offering institution.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of EEL4508, students will be able to:

• Apply the per-unit (pu) system for analysis of three-phase power systems with multiple voltage levels.
• Apply symmetrical components analysis: positive, negative, and zero sequence networks; sequence-to-phase conversion.
• Conduct balanced fault analysis: three-phase short circuit; calculation of fault currents and voltages.
• Conduct unbalanced fault analysis: single-line-to-ground; line-to-line; double-line-to-ground faults.
• Apply power flow analysis: Newton-Raphson method; Gauss-Seidel method; bus admittance matrix construction; iterative solution.
• Apply transmission line modeling: short, medium, and long line models; ABCD parameters; surge impedance loading.
• Apply transformer modeling: equivalent circuit; per-unit modeling; voltage regulation.
• Describe principles of power system stability: rotor angle stability; voltage stability; transient stability.
• Describe principles of power system protection: overcurrent protection; differential protection; distance protection.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Three-Phase Systems Review: Y-connected and delta-connected sources and loads; balanced operation; complex power.
• Per-Unit System: Base value selection; pu impedance and voltage; advantages of pu analysis; multi-zone systems with transformers.
• Symmetrical Components: Fortescue's theorem; sequence transformations; sequence networks; positive, negative, and zero sequence impedances.
• Balanced Fault Analysis: Three-phase fault current calculation; equivalent Thevenin source approach; pre-fault and post-fault conditions.
• Unbalanced Fault Analysis: Single-line-to-ground (SLG); line-to-line (LL); double-line-to-ground (DLG); fault current and voltage calculations using sequence networks.
• Power Flow: Bus admittance matrix; Gauss-Seidel iteration; Newton-Raphson method; convergence considerations; PQ vs. PV bus types.
• Transmission Lines: Short, medium-pi, and long line models; characteristic impedance; ABCD parameters; line capability and voltage regulation.
• Transformers in Power Systems: Three-phase transformer banks; vector groups; per-unit modeling; tap changers.
• Stability Introduction: Swing equation; equal area criterion; transient stability; voltage stability concepts.
• Protection Introduction: Overcurrent (50/51); differential (87); distance (21); zones of protection.

Resources & Tools

• J. Duncan Glover, Mulukutla S. Sarma, Thomas J. Overbye Power System Analysis & Design (Cengage)
• Hadi Saadat Power System Analysis (PSA Publishing)
• Power simulation software: PowerWorld Simulator; ETAP; PSS/E (where available); MATLAB Power Systems Toolbox
• IEEE Power and Energy Society standards

Career Pathways

EEL4508 is foundational for power-engineering careers in Florida's substantial utility sector:

• Power Systems Engineer at Florida utilities: Florida Power & Light (FPL/NextEra Energy), Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric (TECO), JEA (Jacksonville), OUC (Orlando), Lakeland Electric, Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU).
• Transmission Planning Engineer at investor-owned utilities and ISO/RTO operations.
• Distribution Engineer for distribution system design and reliability.
• Protection Engineer for relay coordination and protective system design.
• Renewable Energy Engineer at solar and wind project developers (Florida is a major solar market).
• Continuation toward graduate study and Professional Engineer (PE) licensure (Florida licensure requires bachelor's degree, 4 years of experience under PE, and FE+PE exams).

Special Information

Course Format

Typically 3 credits, 45 contact hours (lecture). Some institutions pair with a power-systems laboratory.

ABET Accreditation

This course contributes to ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accreditation requirements for B.S. EE programs. Florida public university EE programs are ABET-accredited.

Florida Power Industry Context

Florida's electric utility industry serves over 21 million people. Major employers and organizations include FPL/NextEra Energy (the nation's largest utility holding company by market cap), Duke Energy Florida, TECO, JEA, OUC, and the Florida Reliability Coordinating Council (FRCC). Florida's growing solar deployment, hurricane resilience programs, and substantial transmission investment drive continued demand for power-systems engineers.